My previous blog discussed my first 5K run. What I left out of that blog was the not only did my friend run with me, but my nine year old and ten year old daughters did too. They both run track at school for PE and so they were prepared even though they didn't train with me.

My friend who ran with me also brought her two daughters. What a better way to start a weekend than sweating for chocolate with four cute little girls. It was a great experience. I wanted my girls to see lots of women out there running, even older women. I also wanted them see me run so they would give themselves permission to do something similar when they are moms too. I want them to grow up knowing that being an athlete doesn't have to stop when school sports stops. I want to them learn that being active is fun at any age and they should never give up on that love of movement, even when others pull your attention. I want them to know they can make a choice it took me years to learn to make.

Yesterday I got the link to the finish line pictures. There it was, me in all my red faced glory crossing that finish line. And then I saw the second picture. It was taken right after I crossed the line and showed my nine year old grabbing me around the waist. The look of joy and pride on her face is amazing for me to see. The third picture was taken a few seconds before I finished. It is from the distance and in it you can see me running towards the finish line, and her running towards me from across the line with her arms raised with one of my friend's daughters also cheering me on.

Those pictures brought back that pride I felt in finishing that run. But it also helped me see that running is not only something I need to continue for me, I need to continue it for them. I want my girls to grow up strong and healthy and active. In doing that I want them to grow up to be just like me. Not the me that started this journey, but the me I will be when I finish. I want my girls to someday be emailed pictures showing their children running with joy towards them as they cross that line.